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Post by Starsinger on Dec 15, 2020 1:05:59 GMT
I was about to go into full-on explanation mode, but I did admittedly not do the extra study because we had no tests/assignments on that particular topic, so I still am not 100% on the distinction between cyclone/hurricanes/tornadoes etc. But it's just to do with your positioning within the global atmospheric circulation where the two different jet streams converge to make the right conditions and tornadoes are the land-based storm. I'd say hurricanes are the equivalent in the Northern Hemisphere, but build over water and so are slightly different. So nah, they don't happen everywhere. Rarely there will be a tiny twister here, but usually we just get the break up of the tropical cyclones (basically the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of hurricanes) which are basically a huge rainstorm with some slightly stronger than usual winds by the time they hit us.
Earthquakes the impact varies, like a storm it kinda depends on the magnitude and location. But smaller ones happen more frequently and are more of an inconvenience. But if you get a large one it can have a huge impact, especially in more vulnerable places with lower building standards, so can have a much larger-scale loss of life etc. I'm odd in that I kinda enjoyed the earthquakes and the complete vulnerability you feel (mayhaps an adrenaline junkie hidden somewhere in me, also some amount of depression because I do tend to have an 'if I die, I die' approach to life), I also had stuff that I was scared of more than the fact that I could die if another earthquake hit, because you have no idea when they're going to hit, so I guess I may have been a bit desensitised to fear at that point. But there are still people who have mental impacts and ptsd from them, and more people lost homes or suffered damage to their homes than occurs in a tornado, I believe, and people who still suffer financially from it, and I did know someone who lost a brother in the earthquake, so it's definitely not a small deal, despite my habit of usually making light of them. I think most people rather live with what they're used to because they know what to expect and how to handle it.
Aha, I have moved out to the farm now, and my sister got her tree and decorations all up yesterday, and we had Christmas music playing this morning. Although perhaps I need to up my game in my wee caravan, because I currently just have some coloured fairy-lights. I can't say I'd ever really watched many Christmas movies until the last couple year, and now I just binge the crappy Netflix ones, despite them all having the same plot, which is sub-par at best, so [icking one is virtually impossible XD
I would say come to NZ...but you're probably not going to get the more populated bit. Unless you went to the bigger cities (like all two or three of them) XD Paddock sledding is basically water biscuiting on land (if you've ever done that). Basically a plastic barrel, sawn in half length-wise, bolted into a wooden frame, a bit of rope to hang on to, something for cushioning because otherwise your tailbone would be annihilated, and also for the thermal insulation, because friction heat. And then that is dragged behind a vehicle and you hang on for dear life, and preferably go with someone about the same weight as you so you're not unevenly balanced and tip. Definitely more fun and/or painful the less flat the paddock is. We even had a couch strapped to the deck of the ute so people could sit on the back and watch whoever was getting dragged. A lot of fun.
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Post by Ellron Silvertree on Dec 15, 2020 11:24:46 GMT
Just gonna throw out a little clarification based on how I interpreted that distinction between tornadoes and hurricanes. Hurricanes aren't really the "over water" equivalent of a tornado. Tornadoes are a land twister, or a localized column of spiralling air. Almost like an air whirlpool. Hurricanes are more like massive spiraling storm cells that originate at sea. They bring rain and high winds, but unlike tornadoes, which are localized, hurricanes can spread for miles and are a more dramatic meteorological event.
I don't know where cyclones fall into this, admittedly.
As a side note, the elemental equivalents of tornadoes can be found in dust devils (land twisters that pick up lots of sand and rock), water spouts (water twisters), and fire whirls (whirlwinds caused by and containing fire).
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 15, 2020 20:49:53 GMT
I believe you are right. Tornadoes were mentioned but not really covered as in depth. We did more on the hurricanes and cyclones the difference being one’s northern hemisphere, and the other southern, and one spins clockwise and the other anti clockwise.
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Post by Ellron Silvertree on Dec 15, 2020 22:40:34 GMT
....I just realized that I described a tornado as an "air whirlpool," when the word "whirlwind" exists...
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 15, 2020 22:58:01 GMT
Hahah, I didn’t notice. Plus I appreciate non-conventional ways of describing things 😂
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 16, 2020 17:41:28 GMT
So I am going to say this just to get it out, I completely get the 'liking an earthquake' concept. I feel the same way about other things that are dangerous, as long as I know others aren't being hurt, it is a bit of a thrill. My brother is a meteorologist, so I feel I should know the difference between all of the above... but Ellron and Starsinger's definitions do make sense. Not sure about water-biscuting, unless it is what we call tubing. The premiss of tubing originally comes from taking a tractor tire insert and towing it behind a boat. We'll also take the tubes down snow-covered hills or drag them behind an ATV on the ice. But paddocking sounds 10x more dangerous... but also a ton of fun. Do you happen to have a picture of this device? P.S. had to Google 'ute'. XD I love how language evolves based on regions. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...
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Post by jliessa44 on Dec 17, 2020 0:39:26 GMT
I’ve only ever felt one earthquake. Now tornados? Those are pretty commonplace in my state but not exactly in my area.
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 17, 2020 2:31:35 GMT
Mm, yeah. I'll definitely stick with the going on the back of a friend's motorbike (until I get a licence and my own) and other such things to get a thrill, rather than wish for earthquakes XD Ah yup, tubing is the same concept. I'm afraid I don't, and given that it was a couple years ago, I can't guarantee that it's still lying around somewhere on the farm. It is fun, for sure. Probably more dangerous if you have someone unexperienced or too cocky driving who's going to take unnecessary risks. But it was the adult brothers who were past the dumb and indestructible teenager phase who did the driving. Haha, yes, I thought I should potentially go back and change it to truck or pickup for y'all, but nah, couldn't bring myself I have no experience with tornadoes, but loved the old National Geographic storm chaser articles, and would definitely be keen to experience one.
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 17, 2020 18:10:58 GMT
Motorcycle license is one of my bucket list items. Depending on where I am this summer, I might get it just to check it off. Do you have a dream bike you'd like?
'past the dumb and indestructible teenager phase' is very important for something like that. While tubing, I have made the mistake of going out with someone not past that phase....
Storm chasing could be fun, I'll stay away though. My college was hit by one over the summer (thankfully when students were mostly gone). Damaged a large portion of the new dorm (we laughed that the old ones are so sturdy, all cinderblock, that the tornado wouldn't have done more than damage windows.)
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 19, 2020 4:00:05 GMT
I would love a classic looking one, I particularly like Triumphs maybe something from their Bonneville line. Motorcycle licence is a bit down the line for now, because student budget, so can’t afford the insurance, rego etc for two vehicles, and because dog plus more transient life of flatting and moving a bit, a car isn’t something I can give up.
Ah, that would have been an experience 😂
Of course it would take out the new dorm 😂
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 20, 2020 4:13:34 GMT
I feel the same, classic motorcycles are super nice. Plus, I am a fairly small person... so lifting a huge modern Harley doesn't sound practical. I don't think I'll get a motorcycle right away either, but just have the license for when I can afford one down the road but might not have as much time to take the certification. I did the same for conceal and carry certification. Thinking of doing something similar for scuba diving. Basically, any certification that doesn't expire.
BTW: We just put up the last of the Christmas Decorations!
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 20, 2020 6:17:26 GMT
Whereas for us getting a motorcycle licence is at least a two-step process, with the full licence not able to be obtained until we’ve had a certain amount of road experience and done a practical road test. Although I potentially would have to get a different motorcycle for the first part, haven’t looked too in depth, because there’s a limit on engine size for a learner licence. I think I’m on the tall side for women here, but I just like the look of the classic cycles more and the British ones. Although I could do American muscle on a dream car 😂
Finally! 😉 I still can’t really believe that Christmas is this week.
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 21, 2020 5:43:10 GMT
Which American muscle car? I am partial to Mustangs. Also, how is camping at your sister's going?
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 21, 2020 6:41:21 GMT
They are nice, but if I was to choose something purely on looks, I would quite like a Dodge Challenger. Of course, even if I were to ever have the budget for something like that I would be frustrated by the lack of practicality 😂
It’s good, I quite like the caravan setup and being able to sleep out there, rather than be stuck in the house with the toddler going to sleep regression 😂 plus I enjoy having my sister’s company so close again. I lived out here during lockdown, which was also cool because my niece was really young and remembers me now and likes me better than most strangers 😊
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 22, 2020 18:10:42 GMT
Lack of practicality is going to be the primary reason I never own a nice sports car. 😂 Though, practicality is part of why I like Mustangs because it can seat 5 when most sports cars only seat 2. Sounds like a nice arrangement. Glad it is working out so well.
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 22, 2020 18:39:04 GMT
Yes, seating space is handy. But I also intend to live out of town if I can when I can afford a place of my own, so more space for carting stuff around would be ideal, I've already found living in town that my car is a wee bit on the small side for what I need out of it. So sports car is definitely not something that will ever be. So I'll most likely end up with a ute...which will also be great for road trips which I would love to do, and just sleep in the canopy.
It also has the bonus of being able to fit all my houseplants in, which I wouldn't have been able to do in a tent XD
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 23, 2020 18:20:09 GMT
What kind of plants do you have? I love having plants but tend to kill them. When I notice they are starting to die I hand them off to my dad and if he is struggling he gives them to my grandma who normally can save them.
For my high school graduation, I had 3 fern centerpieces. I took one, my dad one, and my grandma one. Mine is long dead, my dad's is dying, but my grandma's needs to be repotted for the 3rd time.
My first, and favorite that died, was called a Goldfish plant. I even killed a mother-in-law's tongue, which I hear takes skill to do. Seriously, I wish I was better with plants.
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 23, 2020 19:54:16 GMT
I used to be shocking with killing plants as well.
Geoff, my maidenhair fern (ocean spray, I think the variety is) was my first successful one, and he has since been reported as well as divided so my friend could have one, and he is flourishing. Beyond that, the answer is too many. I have a spider plant, golden pothos, monstera deliciosa, and couple of peace lilies, a tree seedling that I’m hoping to train into a bonsai, pretty sure it’s a macrocarpa. Um, a cactus, a few types of succulents, an ivy, a variety of bromeliad, a different type of fern (potentially a birds nest variety). Oh, and a zebrina plant, and a couple varieties of prayer plants.
I think there’s around 30 all up. Most are pretty small still. But I do prefer leafy plants over succulents so one day my room is probably going to end up a jungle.
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 25, 2020 8:59:39 GMT
Behold the winter wonderland that is Christmas Day in NZ: Merry Christmas all
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Dec 25, 2020 14:44:23 GMT
Looks like my bit of VA, but less brown. Merry Christmas, y'all!
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 26, 2020 21:07:12 GMT
Merry (Belated) Christmas! Honestly, looks much more inviting to me than the snow at my place. I'll post a picture soon, we had a nasty snowstorm on Thursday. Starsinger: That is quite the plant collection! I only recognized about half of the ones you listed. You name your plants too? I had Philip, Jean Claude, Pierre, and Perry... originally after Veggie Tale's French Peas.
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 27, 2020 3:31:15 GMT
Only some of them, I have too many to have them all named yet. There's Geoff, Steve (II), two Carls (the peace lilies, and my friend also has one from the same original plant called Carl). I'm not the best with naming things... it takes me a long time to come up with something. I'll eventually name the others, maybe once we all have a bit more of a permanent home and their personalities come out
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 29, 2020 19:52:32 GMT
Oh snow.... This is still from a storm 5 days ago and 4 more inches coming today (10cm).
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 29, 2020 20:23:58 GMT
Oh gorgeous. I wouldn't mind if we had a bit more snow here sometimes.
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Post by Goldarrow on Dec 30, 2020 17:25:21 GMT
If I could, I'd package it all up for you... XD
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Post by Starsinger on Dec 31, 2020 23:14:39 GMT
I would appreciate that 😂 Happy New Year to you folks on the other side of the orb in the present that is the past...
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Post by Ellron Silvertree on Jan 1, 2021 6:42:42 GMT
We had snow all the way leading up to Christmas, then it rained on the 24th and 25th. (:
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Post by Goldarrow on Jan 4, 2021 6:10:17 GMT
Starsinger: Yes! That is how I feel so often! My friends in the EU are especially guilty of it and since I am further back it's lame for me to wish them Happy New Year/Merry Christmas because they are literally over it. XD @silvertree: I like how you have a smiley at the fact the snow melted. Wish I could say as much. At least the last couple of days all the trees were covered in frost so it was pretty for being so nasty cold.
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Post by Starsinger on Jan 5, 2021 22:11:49 GMT
Hm, I’d thought NZ was ahead of Europe. But the time zones do still confuse me quite a bit. Particularly the States and that you’ll have different ones there.
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Post by Ellron Silvertree on Jan 7, 2021 1:03:32 GMT
Haha, it was a mostly sarcastic smiley :P I love the snow, but I've managed to miss it entirely both home with family and out here in Ohio.
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